Minnesota Twins at Texas Rangers

Joe Ryan (4-3, 3.17) carries a 6-inning, 8-strikeout no-decision from his last turn against the Cardinals into Arlington against Jack Leiter (3-6, 4.86), who got tagged for 4 earned in 5 innings at Boston last Friday. On paper this is a clear mismatch on the mound, and the Twins lineup is already swinging like it knows.

Minnesota has won 4 in a row and is two-for-two in this series, including a 12-2 demolition Tuesday powered by 17 hits — a Trevor Larnach leadoff homer, a 3-run Kody Clemens shot, and Zebby Matthews carving up Texas for 7 strong. The road version of this team is the best opposing AL club Globe Life Field has hosted since it opened, and they're 13-5 there since 2020.

Minnesota Twins

(35-40)

Jun 17W@ Rangers12-2

Jun 16W@ Rangers4-2

Jun 14Wvs Cardinals5-4

Jun 13Lvs Cardinals6-9

Jun 13Wvs Cardinals9-8

Texas Rangers

(35-38)

Jun 17Lvs Twins2-12

Jun 16Lvs Twins2-4

Jun 14W@ Red Sox6-4

Jun 13L@ Red Sox3-6

Jun 12L@ Red Sox1-10

The Rangers are a mess on the position-player side and it shows. Corey Seager is on the 7-day concussion IL, Evan Carter (oblique) and Michael Helman (hand) are both shelved, and Danny Jansen is still down behind the plate. That is a top-of-the-order and an outfield gutted at the same time, and Leiter doesn't have the margin for error to outrun it.

Minnesota Twins

(13)

• Day-To-DayKaelen Culpepper SS — Culpepper was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday with a left hip strain, Aaron Gleeman of AaronGleeman.com reports.
• Day-To-DayRicardo Olivar C — Triple-A St. Paul transferred Olivar from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day IL on June 4 while he recovers from a right knee sprain, Twins writer Brandon Warne reports.
• Day-To-DayWalker Jenkins CF — Jenkins (shoulder) could start a rehab assignment with Single-A Fort Myers as soon as Saturday, Aaron Gleeman of AaronGleeman.com reports.
• Day-To-DayJulian Merryweather RP — Merryweather (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with the Twins' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Tuesday, Theodore Tollefson of ZoneCoverage.com reports.
• Day-To-DayMatt Canterino SP — Canterino (shoulder) will be with the Twins in big-league spring training but isn't expected to pitch during camp as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
• 10-Day-ILRyan Jeffers C — Jeffers had the cast and stitches removed from his surgically repaired left hand and has resumed throwing, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.
• 15-Day-ILKendry Rojas RP — Rojas (elbow) has been sent to Triple-A St. Paul to begin a rehab assignment, Aaron Gleeman of AaronGleeman.com reports.
• 15-Day-ILCole Sands RP — Sands underwent an MRI on Friday that showed healing in his injured forearm, though inflammation was still present, MLB.com reports.

Texas Rangers

(13)

• Day-To-DaySebastian Walcott SS — Walcott (elbow) will begin to ramp up his activity soon and is still on track for a late-July or early-August return to a minor-league affiliate, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
• 7-Day ILCorey Seager SS — The Rangers placed Seager on the 7-day concussion injured list Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
• 10-Day-ILMichael Helman CF — The Rangers placed Helman (hand) on the 10-day injured list Sunday.
• 10-Day-ILEvan Carter CF — The Rangers placed Carter (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Saturday.
• 10-Day-ILDanny Jansen C — Jansen is not in the Rangers' starting lineup against the Guardians on Friday.
• 15-Day-ILJalen Beeks RP — Beeks (2-1) earned the win in relief Saturday against the Cubs after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings. He struck out one with no hits or walks allowed.
• 15-Day-ILChris Martin RP — The Rangers placed Martin on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right shoulder impingement.
• 60-Day-ILJordan Montgomery SP — Montgomery (elbow) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Texas has dropped 4 of 5 and the bats have gone quiet — 2 runs in each of the last two against Minnesota after getting blanked around by Boston the series before. There's a Mick Abel return looming in the Twins rotation too, so the depth picture only tilts further their way. Bruce Bochy needs Leiter to give him length here just to stop the bleeding before the bullpen has to absorb another bullying.

First pitch is 1:35 PM CT for the getaway game. Twins are chasing a road sweep with their best starter on the bump; Rangers are trying to avoid a fifth straight series loss in their own building to this team.